Colbert premiered the video in tongue-in-cheek "retaliation" for First Lady Michelle Obama reportedly getting an advanced copy of the British period drama's third season before it premieres on PBS in January. "Friend of the show" (and Breaking Bad creator) Vince Gilligan had sent over exclusive scenes, Colbert explained.

The clip features Downton Abbey cast members Hugh Bonneville, Jim Carter and Rob James-Collier cooking meth — or "black chamomile crank" — using a "mobile lab" (a.k.a. a tea cart), and infusing drug culture lingo with the haughty British accents they use on the show. The buyer, "Mr. Spider," is played by Mark Consuelos.